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Georgia Beauty Queen Gives Up Her Crown to Teach

by Marissa Gold (Subscribe to Marissa Gold's posts)
Posted Jul 2nd 2009 at 3:45PM  
138 Comments
Share
Kristina Higgins was crowned Miss Georgia 2009 last weekend.

Then she shocked America when she decided her teaching job was worth more to her than the crown.

As reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Higgins was recently hired as a special education instructor at Snellville Middle School in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

When it came time to sign her contract as Miss Georgia, Higgins decided she didn't want to give up her teaching position. Runner-up Emily Cook assumed the crown.

What do you think of Higgins' decision? Was it wrong to compete in the pageant knowing her heart wasn't fully in it?

Or do you respect her decision for giving up the crown in order to pursue what she loves?

Leave a comment
below!
Read All Comments
Filed under: News
Tags: beauty-pageant, emily-cook, kristina-higgins, Kristina-higgins-steps-down, Kristina-higgins-teacher, miss-georgia, miss-georgia-2009, Miss-Georgia-2009-winner, miss-georgia-crowned, miss-georgia-runner-up
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READER COMMENTS

(138)Add A Comment

Suzaanne, 7-03-2009, 2:30PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Suzaanne

Honestly, who cares?

Reply »

Jennifer, 7-03-2009, 2:02PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Jennifer

I do a lot of TV and modeling work. My business is all about looks and how to look perfect at any time, and any place. I’m not young anymore and this is now harder than ever. I thought my career was almost over but GenFX™ is my secret weapon. Quite honestly, I look 10 years younger than my real age! http://www.antiaginggenfx.com/

Reply »

Dan, 7-03-2009, 2:26PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Dan

I guess that is why you have no pic. You are too good looking.
Stop trying to sell junk where not appropriate.

»

Dr. E. G., 7-03-2009, 2:24PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Dr. E. G.

Please stop promoting products - you are ruining comment forums. This is very rude. Now, the topic: Of course I respect her decision. If it were me, I would serve as Ms. Geogia for one year 1st. These girls get tremendous financial opportunities and modeling jobs. She could end up with a tidy nest egg AND charity work which would make a difference....like much needed school supplies for kids/schools in need. She could make a much bigger impact on education this way, and still go back to teaching soon enough. Dr. G.

»

Syl, 7-03-2009, 2:31PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Syl

I'm fed up with people who post their stinky commercial messages as comments - such as this one.

»

Rebecca, 7-06-2009, 8:29PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Rebecca

If she new there was a chance, small chance but still a chance that she could win Miss Georiga then why did she enroll in the first place? Im not judging her, but just curious.

»

Annette9929, 7-03-2009, 7:22PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Annette9929

ita if u are so hot where is the pic. Im sure not clicking on a link either. You are selling genex.

»

BigD9, 7-03-2009, 2:07PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
BigD9

I've got something for her to teach on.........

Reply »

Nicole, 7-05-2009, 11:00AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Nicole

maybe she can teach you some manners

»

Sosumi, 7-03-2009, 3:02PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Sosumi

That is all you could come up with. Can we all spell sophmoric? Or beer swilling moron? Somebody does the right thing. That is the most shocking news. Your pithy comments are just the same old useless blather coming from a dues paying member of the idiocracy.

»

kay, 7-03-2009, 3:03PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
kay

bigd you are disgusting!

»

martha, 7-03-2009, 3:19PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
martha

sophomoric....yes i CAN spell it....correctly

»

JON, 7-03-2009, 6:35PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
JON

HAHAHA

»

Tobradex, 7-03-2009, 2:08PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Tobradex

Good for her. Teaching is a lot more satisfying than parading around just because you look pretty.

Reply »

mik, 7-03-2009, 2:11PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
mik

I am sure she thought she was going to be Ms.Georgia. I don't think she really knew if she would be hired so, quickly with all the unemployment.
I am happy with what she decided. If it makes her feel good about teaching then great. It didn't hurt the runner up she got what she was trying for.
I hope they both do very well.

Reply »

RETIRED TEACHER, 7-03-2009, 2:17PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
RETIRED TEACHER

LET'S SEE... BEAUTY QUEEN OR SPECIAL ED TEACHER? WHICH SERVES SOCIETY BEST/MORE? DUH!

Reply »

Pageant Fan, 7-03-2009, 8:14PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Pageant Fan

Pretty harsh from a retired teacher. The Miss America pageant is no longer a "beauty pageant" rather a scholarship competition, which itself is the single largest provider of scholarships for young women in the country. Each contestant has a platform, to further her "cause" for her year of service, whether she wins State (Miss GA) or Miss America. I don't know what her particular platform was, but I think it is pretty educational for everyone, who should note that Kristina Higgins diligently competed and was successful in her quest, yet realised her role might be better served in an educational setting. I think it speaks volumes when someone forsakes their own personal dream (doesn't every little girl in the US go through that "beauty queen" phase?) to help further the goals of others. Applause to Kristina...

»

seceme, 7-03-2009, 2:09PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
seceme

I applaud her for having the strength and intelligence to see the bigger picture. If teaching is her passion - then it was the best decision for HER. She didn't hurt anyone - as the runner-up who probably would have won if she hadn't participated is now the reigning Miss Georgia! Congrats to both young women in their outstanding accomplishments and I wish them both the best in their future endeavors. Society should be supportive of her decision. Not ridicule her for making a choice like this.

Reply »

PortFan31, 7-03-2009, 2:17PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
PortFan31

Maybe its easier to win Miss Georgia than it is to find a job.

Reply »

Max Ice, 7-03-2009, 2:18PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Max Ice

Youth products are frauds. They prevent nothing except poverty among sellers. They work on the imaginations of fools who spend a lot of money to buy them.

Reply »

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